Manufacturing 2007

Jane Atkinson


Time and again, Jane Atkinson has blazed a trail in manufacturing. For example, she was the first woman in the world to run a blast furnace (at Redcar and the first woman to manage the Wilton Power Station. She is currently helping to commission the first green energy biomass boiler operation in the UK.		 image


Manufacturing 2006


Carol Burke, Unipart Eberspacher Exhaust Systems


Since a young age, when she defied expectations and pursued a career in engineering and business rather than the law or medicine, Carol has been setting her own goals. She went on to thrive at British Steel, Premier Exhaust Systems and, mostly recently, at Unipart Eberspacher Exhaust Systems. As managing director, she has faced a hugely challenging period, particularly following the closure of MG Rover. However, this remarkable businesswoman is a true champion of British manufacturing.		 image

Manufacturing 2005

Stella Dorsett, European president, Cookson Precious Metals


The only female director of the precious metals division of the quoted Cookson Group, and one of the few manufacturing and wholesaling MDs within Europe in her industry.The judges said: "Stella Dorsett is a woman who has a number of firsts to her name. Early in her career, she made the move from IT into production - making her subsequent success all the more impressive."		 image

Tourism & Leisure 2007


Fay Sharpe


The founder and majority shareholder of the UKs largest venue find agency with a turnover of more th an £70m, Fay gave up a successful corporate career to start her own business. All too frequently, woman believe they cannot be both a career woman and a mother, she says.This is a misconception.

Dr Jane Guise

Dr Jane Guise is the first woman, and youngest CEO, of a UK agricultural society.Formerly an agricultural research entrepreneur, she is challenging old ways of thinking and turning the Society into a national leader in the agricultural, environmental and tourist sector.
 image

Tourism & Leisure 2006

Rosemary Squire, Ambassador Theatre Group


Rosemary Squire is the co-founder of the countrys fastest-growing entertainment company and has driven dramatic growth at the theatre group. In the past six years, ATG has increased its theatre holdings by 167 per cent to 24 venues- from humble beginnings with one theatre in 1992. Rosemary is the first elected president of the Society of London Theatre and only the second woman president in the societys 97-year history. Former BBC DG Greg Dyke calls her an entrepreneurial negotiator who manages the juggling act of delivering quality and keeping the venues full.		 image

Tourism & Leisure 2005

Julia Hands, Chairman and CEO, Handpicked Hotels


With no experience in the hotels industry, she has been a first-time success, building the UK`s number one independent country house hotels group.

The judges said: "you can`t ignore Julia Hands` achievements as a novice in the industry: she had the vision, developed it and is now reaping the benefits of scale without compromising on the individual character of her hotels and quality of service."		 image

Finance 2007

Carol Walsh


For more than 20 years, Carol Walsh has played a pivotal role in Visa. The longest-serving member of the membership associations executive management team, she manages relationships with the regulatory community and is responsible for Visas response to industry challenges.		 image

Finance 2006

Karen Darby, SimplySwitch


As a 22-year-old, Karen Darby set up her first company, Decisions Group, which was one of the UKs first call-centre businesses. She sold this seven years later and dedicated herself to single-handedly raising her two children. Then she came upon the idea of SimplySwitch, which advises customers on their best-price energy deals. Backed by Bridges Community Ventures, the company today is the largest telephone-based price comparison service in the UK- and Karen is one of the most remarkable entrepreneurs around.		 image

Finance 2005

Jocelyn Blackwell, Managing director, consulting services, Higham Group


A ground-breaker and entrepreneur in financial services, championing women`s pensions rights through the Raising Standards of Pension Administration initiative.

The judges said: "Jocelyn Blackwell is an entrepreneur making an impact in a very traditional industry; but her influence also extends far beyond, to enhancing the culture of the pensions industry as a whole."

Science & Technology 2007

Lesley Cowley, Nominet


As the first woman CEO of Nominet and the first woman on a host of international domain groups, Lesley Cowley is a central figure in raising internet industry standards across the globe. For the future, she aims to be completing the One Laptop Per Child project.

Science & Technology 2006

Valerie Thompson, e-Learning Foundation


With a high-flying, groundbreaking corporate career behind her, Valerie Thompson took a huge leap (and pay cut) when she launched Business Link for London in 1995. Inspired by her not-for-profit experiences, she joined the newly created e-learning foundation in 2001. She is now drivinga hugelyambitious programme, that every child should have access to technology to support their learning when and wherever they need it, by 2008. If the digital divide is an obstacle to childrens development, then Valerie Thompson is determined to bridge it.		 image


2005 (Technology)


Jan Babiak, UK area managing partner, information systems assurance and advisory services (ISAAS), Ernst & Young

In 1997, she was the first woman to run a business unit within the accountancy giant and is still the only female managing partner. A leading voice in UK technology.


The judges said: "Jan Babiak stood out because she has clearly and unequivocally achieved a number of firsts in her field - and she is genuinely committed to educating and promoting other women in the technology sector."

2005 (Science)


Dr Gillian Samuels, CBE, executive director of science policy, Pfizer
Retiring this year after an extraordinary career, she led the development of Viagra and, through her appointment to the new role of director of science policy, has raised Pfizer`s influence in this field.

The judges said: "Dr Samuels is a real scientist with an extremely strong scientific career - and she also cares. She is an inspiration to many people contemplating a career in science."



Media


From front-line journalism to production and technical, we are looking for the women who have made a significant contribution to the success of the media company they work for.

2007

Jane Dyson, The Network

Londoners will know Jane Dysons business every time they are handed a copy of the free paper, London Lite.The Network started life as a field marketing business but, through Dysons sheer entrepreneurial determination, now has an army of 20,000 field workers, the majority of them women benefiting from the flexible working life that Dysons company affords them.

2006

Lorraine Heggessey, talkback Thames

Lorraine has been a pioneer in all she has done. As the first female controller of BBC1, she paved the way for women in senior roles at the BBC. In May last year, Lorraine once again demonstrated her pioneering credentials by becoming the first CEO of a top ten independent production company and is making significant commercial improvements to both its turnover and operating margin. SShe does all of this while leading by example, energising her team and is a thoroughly warm and rounded individual. She is an awesome role model for women in broadcasting.

2005

Fru Hazlitt, Managing director, Yahoo UK

Has turned Yahoo UK into the most successful division outside the US. Now off to break new ground at radio group, SMG.

The judges said: "Fru Hazlitt is one of very few women to have headed up a UK subsidiary of a major US corporation, and led it through such a turbulent time. In the media sector, she has set out her stall bravely and supremely competently."


Retail & Property

2007

Sophi Tranchell

In building the first farmer-owner fair-trade company, and as the first business to bring fair-trade products to the independent sector, Sophi Tranchell is, without question, a groundbreaking retailer, campaigner and businesswoman.Her vision for the future: innovative, delicious products in new, exciting territories; and more farmers with whom to work and make a difference.

2006

Catherine Stewart, Pascal & Watson Architects

In a male-dominated environment, Catherine Stewart has deied the odds and joined the board of directors of one of the UKs top architectural practices. But her own career success is only part of her remarkable CV. Let her own words describe her broader objectives: to encourage young women to adopt a career in constr

2005

Fiona Morton, Managing partner, Ryden

The first managing partner of the Scottish commercial property business, growing the business by 20 per cent over the past three years.

The judges said: "Fiona Morton is not just a pathfinder but is a continuing role model. She is passionate, a woman of great personal achievement and who has plenty more goals ahead of her."

Public Sector

(New Award)

This award celebrates women who have achieved success within senior executive or non-executive roles - in the civil service, quangos, universities and our national institutions such as the NHS. The judges will be looking for women whose primary focus is on the contribution that they can make to society and the economy as a whole, through the outstanding work that they do for organisations that impact on our daily lives.

Business services

2007

Natalie Douglas

Opting out from a safe career in big pharma, Natalie has created (and built a £50m-plus turnover) a world first.Her business (she leaed the 2005 MBO) sources and distributes drug treatments to named patients in home countries where the drugs arent yet approved.Next goal: £100m turnover. I trust my intuition 100 per cent.Its my most powerful tool.

Ruby McGregor Smith

Ruby McGregor-Smith is the first Asian woman- and one of very few women- to be appointed CEO of a FTSE 250 company.In 2007, her support services group MITIE will deliver £1bn-plus of turnover for the first time.

Joy Kingsley

The first law firm ever to appear in the top ten of the Best Companies to Work For survey, Pannone is a heavyweight regional player that, in six years, has tripled its billings and doubled its profit per equity partner.Behind these and many other dramatic achievements is the remarkable Joy Kingsley.

2006

2005

Julia Rogers, General manager, central services, the Co-operative Group

One of the first women recruits to go to Sandhurst; one of the first four women in the Royal Military Police. Formerly head of security at the Co-operative Group (another first!), she now runs its central services operation.

The judges said: "Julia Rogers simply does not accept barriers. She`s been a trailblazer wherever she`s been. And now, they said, she is doing it again by committing herself to working with ex-offenders."


We also have two very special additional categories to award to the best organisation, and for lifetime achievement. Nominees are asked to nominate a truly unique and dedicated organisation or individual that has accomplished a lifetime of remarkable achievements in supporting British women in business today.


First Woman Corporate Award (Lloyds TSB)

Recognising the UK organisation/company that has done the most to promote women in the workplace

2007

BT Group

2006

Winner into the Network

2005

Bank of Scotland, Women in Business Unit


Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognising an individual who has made the greatest contribution to women in business in the UK, either as a role model, mentor or champion.

2007

Ann Gloag OBE , Founder, Stagecoach

2006

Val Gooding, CEO, BUPA & Pinky Lilani OBE

2005

Perween Warsi, founder, S&A Foods & Baroness Sarah Hogg, chairman of 3i